Uncovering the CEO's secrets: My daring Reddit story

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Working for a Private Equity Firm
3. Becoming the De Facto Tech Guy
4. Starting a Side Consulting Business
5. Taking Advantage of the Office Job
6. Investigating the Plan to Fire Me
7. Implementing the Inception Reverse Psychology
8. Turning the Company into a Paying Client
9. Continuing as an Independent Consultant
10. Conclusion

Working for a Private Equity Firm

Working at a private equity firm fresh out of college was an opportunity I couldn't pass up. However, little did I know that the CEO of this firm would be one of the most ruthless individuals I had ever encountered. Driven solely by money and lacking any sense of business ethics, he would go to any lengths to secure a deal, regardless of who it hurt.

Becoming the De Facto Tech Guy

Despite being an analyst, I found myself taking on the role of the office's resident technology expert. Being one of the few technologically literate individuals in the company, I was thrown into handling various tech-related tasks, even though I lacked the qualifications. From setting up servers to resolving laptop issues and answering basic questions, I became the go-to person for all things tech. Though I was initially just "winging it," I gradually became proficient in handling these responsibilities.

Starting a Side Consulting Business

After a few years of working tirelessly at the firm, I felt burnt out and unfulfilled. I despised working under the CEO, who treated everyone poorly. The long hours with no overtime pay or bonuses, coupled with the low salary, made me realize it was time for a change. I decided to start my own consulting business, but I didn't want to quit right away. Instead, I planned to build up my client base while still receiving a steady paycheck.

Taking Advantage of the Office Job

As my side business gained traction, I increasingly devoted more time to it while at my office job. Since I had become indispensable in handling tech-related tasks and operating key internal systems, it was easy for me to feign extended project durations. I would spend a significant portion of my day working on my own ventures while being physically present in the office. Co-workers, who also disliked the company, never questioned or complained about my behavior.

Investigating the Plan to Fire Me

Despite the freedom I had in the office, I couldn't shake the feeling that my days were numbered. Suspecting that termination was imminent, I decided to snoop around the executive's email account, which I had access to as the tech guy. To my dismay, I discovered an email thread discussing my recent performance issues, with the CEO planning to fire me in a matter of days.

Implementing the Inception Reverse Psychology

Determined not to let them fire me and tarnish my work history, I devised a plan. I requested a meeting with the CEO and candidly confessed to my shortcomings, subtly hinting at my knowledge of their plan. Astonished by my seemingly psychic abilities, the CEO listened as I expressed my lack of interest in the job and my entrepreneurial aspirations. Highlighting my irreplaceable contributions, I proposed a plan: I would continue working for another month, finishing ongoing projects and training my replacement. After that, I would reduce my hours to once per week until the transition was complete.

Turning the Company into a Paying Client

To my surprise, the CEO agreed to my proposition. During that final month, I not only secured my position but also managed to turn the company into one of my paying clients. Charging them triple my previous salary, I handled remote tasks and provided expert advice, minimizing my interactions with the CEO.

Continuing as an Independent Consultant

Once the transition period was over, I severed ties with the firm and focused entirely on growing my consulting business. With a solid client base and a flourishing reputation, I no longer needed the company that had once exploited my skills. Even now, years later, the CEO occasionally reaches out to me for advice, a testament to the mutually beneficial arrangement I had cunningly crafted.

Conclusion

Transitioning from an overworked analyst at a private equity firm to a successful independent consultant was no easy feat. By leveraging my role as the de facto tech guy and using reverse psychology on the CEO, I not only saved my job but also turned the tables in my favor. Today, I relish the freedom and satisfaction of running my own business, grateful for the lessons learned during my time at that unscrupulous firm.

Highlights:

• Transitioning from an analyst to the de facto tech guy in a private equity firm
• Starting a side consulting business while still working at the office job
• Taking advantage of the company's reliance on my tech skills
• Discovering the plan to fire me and formulating a strategic response
• Using reverse psychology to secure my position and turn the company into a client
• Continuing as an independent consultant, free from the confines of the office job

FAQs:

Q: How did you become the go-to tech person despite lacking qualifications? A: Being one of the few technologically literate individuals in the company, I took on tech-related tasks out of necessity and learned as I went along. Through trial and error, along with a healthy dose of online research, I gradually became proficient in handling various tech issues.

Q: How did you manage to continue working on your side business without getting caught? A: As the person responsible for monitoring network activity, I exploited this advantage to discreetly work on my own projects. I strategically prolonged project durations, and my co-workers, who were also dissatisfied with the company, kept their silence.

Q: Did you ever feel guilty about deceiving the CEO and using reverse psychology? A: While it may seem unscrupulous, I viewed it as a necessary tactic to protect my own interests. The company had undervalued and mistreated me for years, so I saw it as a means of reclaiming some control and securing a better future for myself.

Q: How did turning the company into a client impact your consulting business? A: Turning the company into a client provided me with stability and additional income during the early stages of my consulting business. It also bolstered my reputation and served as a stepping stone to acquiring other clients.

Q: Do you regret your actions and betraying your former employer? A: While I recognize the ethical gray areas in my actions, I don't regret my decisions. The company exploited my skills and failed to provide the compensation and recognition I deserved. I believe I took necessary steps to secure my future and establish a successful consulting career.